They’d had enough.
Enough of the gay marriage, enough of the “God is still speaking” hypocrisy and enough of the apostate United Church of Christ. So St. Peter’s First Church of Huntington, IN (formerly St. Peter’s UCC) decided to leave. In Sept 2005, the congregation voted according to church law 115 to 92 with the majority in favor of departure.
But, it wasn’t without a fight. Upon leaving, St. Peter’s was treated shamefully by the apostate UCC leadership who filed a lawsuit to take away the 150 year old church’s assets. But on Thursday, a judge delivered the UCC leadership a crushing blow, ending the struggle.
According to the Huntington Herald-Press:
In his ruling, Hanselman determined that the congregational vote was proper and binding, that there was no “division” of the church as defined by its bylaws that would trigger a transfer of its assets to the Indiana-Kentucky Conference of the United Church of Christ. The ruling upheld the actions of the Church Council, headed by Brian Royer, who was the lone named defendant in the suit.
Spiritually, there is no question that the UCC is a dead church. Its attempts to resurrect itself on the basis of “tolerance” and “acceptance” of homosexuality have been a dismal failure. If you remember, last year the UCC launched false, over the top ads depicting a church ejecting alleged gay people from its pews. In its quest to redefine what sin is, the denomination has lost almost 100 member churches since it affirmed its support for homosexual unions. Those exiting the sinking ship have taken their money with them.
The once vibrant church was formed in 1957 with 2.1 million members and 7,000 congregations. But since its lurch into apostasy, the denomination has since lost nearly half its members and now has only about 5,600 congregations with less than 1.2 million members.
Filed under: current events, general, homosexuality
Is this apostate “United Church of Christ” a perfect example of the warnings in Jude or what?
Jud 1:16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.
And, the faithful remnant church that voted in favor of departure for good reason:
Jud 1:17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:
They recognized the heretics for what they truly are:
Jud 1:18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.
Jud 1:19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
And, the church that left the UCC did so as a last resort, but they are a perfect example of those who what to stay true to the gospel of Christ and hold steadfast in the faith:
Jud 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, (bold mine)
Jud 1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
“Spiritually, there is no question that the UCC is a dead church.”
Over at Neil’s blog there is a UU that talks (posts) about how much he loves attending UCC churches. So it seems there isn’t much conviction going on in the church pews. Your conclusion that the UCC is a dead denomination sounds about right.
Total, I saw that over there. I’ve always wondered with all of the “outreach” and “welcoming” going on in the UU/UCC/Inclusion groups, why the Buddhists, Hindus, Rastas, atheists, pagans and the likes are taking a pass. Seems like the only response they are getting (or perhaps want) is from the homosexual community.
I just wondered.
DL,
I just read your link about the ads “depicting a church ejecting gays from the pews.” How absolutely false and childish is that?? Who would believe such nonsense? It’s truly sad…
You wrote:
3.The ad attempts to use benign words infused with highly contradictory meanings against traditional church teaching. Words such as “tolerance” and “inclusion” have ulterior meanings when deployed by gays in the UCC.
They certainly have ulterior motives and subsequent goals. One goal appears to be one of elevating “tolerance” and “inclusion” above our Lord’s calling for us to strive for holiness and righteousness!
Christine, thanks for reading that. Its really, really hard to find a word that hasn’t been neutered, spayed and given a sex change by the left and its diversified allies, including the gcm.
What are the general beliefs of the UCC?
I await your reply. Thank you.
GCMW: Robert, here is a general description of the UCC doctrinal makeup. A fuller view of the church can be found here.
Disgusting that they should have the audacity to sue— and further shame The Name before the seculars! One should expect even nominal “xtians” to have some shame!